Disaster declaration urged for Northern Islands

Northern Islands mayor Valentin I. Taisakan wants a major disaster declaration for Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan islands, where some 49 residents—including children—lost their homes, crops and food supply following the onslaught of Yyphoon Tingting.

In a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Taisakan also seeks authority to procure supplies and resources for the affected residents on an emergency basis, as the islands are running out of food and potable water. He said these supplies—plus building materials—need to be shipped to the islands as soon as possible, so that rehabilitation could take place.

Based on a preliminary damage assessment, Taisakan said the typhoon damaged even the public facility used as dispensary, radio room, food storage and typhoon shelter on Agrigan; the mayor’s office’s radio antenna on Alamagan was blown away and could not be found.

The CNMI awaits President Bush’s possible declaration of the Northern Marianas as a major disaster area.

In Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s request to Bush, it estimated damage on Saipan and Tinian at over $2.53 million. The request also mentioned about damage estimates on Rota.

Taisakan said he wants authorization from the Department of Finance-Division of Procurement and Supply to use local and federal funds awarded to his office for the Remote Island Fishing Station to procure urgently needed resources and expedite the procurement procedures.

Almost all houses on the three islands were destroyed, according to the mayor. The typhoon also totally damaged the islands’ agricultural crops, such as bananas, taros, yams, and vegetables, among others. Taisakan said recovery of the islands’ agriculture would take some time.

“Potable water, available through water catchment facilities, have all been contaminated, forcing residents to boil their water and/or rely on emergency resupply from Saipan,” the mayor said.

“Store-bought goods and supplies brought over from Saipan [during] previous trips were also almost entirely destroyed,” he added. “Emergency water and food supplies will now have to be shipped in from Saipan.”

As of yesterday, the CNMI still awaits Bush’s possible major disaster declaration for the CNMI so the islands could avail of federal disaster assistance.

A CNMI team has reportedly conducted damage assessment on Rota since Monday. Earlier, though, Babauta already disclosed an estimated $761,800 worth of damage on Rota’s roads and bridges. The governor also reported over $1 million damage to the island’s only commercial port and over $500,000 damage to crops.

A joint preliminary damage assessment conducted by the CNMI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Saipan and Tinian estimated damage at over $2.53 million.

Of this estimate, some $650,000 would be needed to restore utilities; $350,000, roads and bridges; $250,000, buildings and equipment; $210,000, parks and recreational facilities; $150,000, water control facilities; and $77,000, debris clearance. Some $82,000 would cover overtime pay of government personnel during response and recovery efforts after the typhoon.

Babauta requested Bush to declare a major disaster in the Commonwealth so that the islands could avail of federal assistance pursuant to Public Law 93-288, also known as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.